Start

End

Group

Any idea what sort of documentation is typically required when applying for or starting a new school? I'm looking at Queensland in particular.
I'm presuming general proof of ID, possibly some sort of handover document from their school in the UK, possibly medical documents (?)...
Any general info or links to relevant posts would be appreciated.
Regards
BFB

We're looking to settle in Hervey Bay. Originally being from Brisbane I can't envisage us living back in a big city. Does anyone have any links with HB and know if it would be well suited for a family of four with their children of Primary school age. What is the employment scenario like there? I've looked online and that's been helpful but I was hoping some of you would be able to give their insight.
Are there any areas around HB (Not Maryborough) that you think is worth checking out? Keen to go anywhere from Bribie Island area right up towards Bundy but not quite as far as that! HB preferable.

There are three tiers of high school in Sydney:
- Private schools. Nowhere near as expensive as Britain, because they are subsidised by the state, but even so, when you are earning Aussie dollars, they can certainly add up.
- Selective high schools. Each year, year 6 students can elect to take tests to see if they can get a place in a selective high school. About a quarter of those sitting the tests get offered a place. Don't assume that your "local" secondary school is operating on a catchment system. These schools are all fully selective:
Baulkham Hills High School · Caringbah High School · Fort Street High School · Girraween High School · Gosford High School · Hornsby Girls' High School · Merewether High School · Normanhurst Boys' High School · North Sydney Boys High School · North Sydney Girls High School · NBSC - Manly Selective Campus · Penrith High School · Smith's Hill High School · St. George Girls' High School · Sydney Boys High School · Sydney Girls High School · Sydney Technical High School
Some of the remaining ones, Chatswood High School on the north side and Ryde Secondary college, on the north west side come to mind, are partially selective, whatever that really means.
Comprehensive schools - these schools are like sinkhole schools, educating those who are either not bright enough (more like not good enough at sitting exams) to get into selective state schools or have parents who can't afford to send them to a private school.
Something else to think about with these schools - a large proportion of the students have a south east Asian background, so Chinese, Vietnamese, people from well off families, including Indian ones. There is some controversy at the moment about North Sydney Boys, for instance, where it is claimed over 70% of their students come from a non English speaking background.
Of all the cities to live in, in Australia, the one I liked the most was Sydney. But I wouldn't educate my children there. If you are not into the 11+, or into the kind of selective hell one goes through to get one's children into certain primary schools or secondary schools in some parts of England (Bradford comes to mind, and the Trafford part of Manchester, though not the much more egalitarian Manchester local education authority), and if you don't want your children to be in the minority if they are "fortunate" enough to get into a selective high school, then maybe it is better to look at areas other than Sydney for places to live.
The impact of selective high schools tends to mean that the neighbouring non selective comprehensive school is like a sink hole school. Basically, the selecitive high schools take the cream of the students, including from private schools. In Sydney, if you can afford to send your kid to a private school, first you would try to save the $15,000 to $25,000 a year fees by seeing if you can get them into a selective state school.
If you look at somewhere like Melbourne, in comparison, they have only 2 selective high schools and if you live in the catchment area for Balwyn High, (one of the best state schools in Victoria) you get to go to the school. In Brisbane, Brisbane High school is selective, but only partially so. Not sure about Adelaide high school - it is selective, but I am not sure if it also offers places to it's local catchment students.

Hi we are moving to Melbourne shortly, we have two children 8 and 6yrs old. They currently attend private education here in the UK and are looking for very good schools in the Mornington/Frankston area? They dont need to be independent as we have heard the schools in Oz are much better than here in England!
Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
sarah
:confused::wacko::confused:

Hi There,
I have just been granted my nomination for a Skilled Worker Regional Visa by NT government. We were initially planning on moving to Perth or Adelaide as we have family/friends there but NT gave us the sponsor.
We are a bit clueless on the suburbs/areas in Darwin and any help or information would be appreciated. We have two young kids, one aged 3 and a baby coming up on a year old. Where would be the best suburbs for us looking to rent a 4 bedroom property? Ideally somewhere with good schools and plenty of parks.
Thanks,
G

A couple of questions on the 482 TSS visa I’m hoping this forum can help me with....
Firstly I’m trying to find out the exact health requirements for a 482 visa. What do we need to prove when applying for this visa? I’m finding the home affairs website unclear.
Secondly, do we need I pay for my child’s school in Victoria on a 482? The appropriate website hasn’t been updated since the 482 was introduced! So anyone who is living in Victoria know what happens??
TIA!

My husband has the opportunity to get a job in Sydney and i always said it was the one place i would go... so here we are considering shipping our little family early next year which is rather daunting. My son is 3 (29th May 2014) so i presume he won't be starting school for a while which seems odd as he seems school ready here but that might just be because of the nursery/pre-school he is at here. And my daughter currently does 2 days at a nursery. We're thinking we'll live there for a few years and then return to the UK but i worry about my son being behind in terms of education when we come back because of starting school so much later in Oz. Has anyone found this? and when would he actually start school? I presume we're not entitled to any sort of funding like you get in the UK with the 15 hours. Is there the opportunity for them both to do morning child care on a few days a week? We're look at living in the suburbs around Manly which i presume we need to secure first before even looking at child care places. Thank you for any advice - feeling totally clueless and rather daunted by the prospect!

Hi, I moved to Sydney (from London) 13 years ago and have finally had enough of the rat race.
I'm moving with my family to the Sunshine Coast and looking for advice about the best locations for beaches, shops, schools etc
My 2 boys have special needs and one will need to go to a special school - it appears that Nambour and Currimundi are the only options.
My other boy has mild autism so I'm hoping to find a location that is best placed for him i.e. Primary schools that have a good reputation for helping kids on the spectrum and plenty of local therapists.
If you have kids with special needs and live in the Sunshine Coast, I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice on our move to the Sunny Coast.
Thanks
Sue

Special Interest Schools:Music Brighton SecondaryFremont-Elizabeth City HighMarryatville HighWoodville HighAgricultureUrrbrae HighLanguagesAdelaide HighIgnite Programs for Gifted StudentsThe HeightsGlenunga InternationalAberfoyle Park HighDance/DramaCharles Campbell SecondaryGolden Grove HighSports and Physical EducationWirreanda HighHenley HighWirreanda also coordinates the Southern Vales Physical Education and Sports Program involving Christies Beach High (aquatics), Morphett Vale (cycling) and Reynella East High (basketball and hockey)In addition, eight secondary schools in conjunction with the respective state sporting associations, have established special interest sports programs:Seaton High (baseball)Pasadena High (Basketball)Blackwood High (Netball)Marryatville High (Tennis)Brighton High (Volleyball)Heathfield High (Volleyball)Mount Gambier High (Cricket, Football and Netball - NB Australian Football that is!)Single Sex SchoolsGepps Cross Girls HighMitcham Girls HighVocational CollegesWindsor Gardens Vocational CollegeSouther Vocational College (at Christies Beach High)Australian Science and Mathematics School (enrols students in years 10,11,12)These were listed in the Govt brochure: If anybody knows any more, perhaps add them and then we can buld up a good list.

Hi there,
My husband and I moved from UK to Sydney in 2001 and then moved back to the UK in 2005 with a 1 year old son so that he could grow up around family.
After living back in the UK for 4 years, we have decided to move back out to Sydney because I feel it is a better place to bring up my son. He will be starting Kindy in Jan 2009 and we will be moving to either Baulkham Hills or Castle Hill. I was thinking of putting him in the Hills Private Grammar School but I have heard that the Primary Schools in the Hills District are just as good.
Does anyone know if this is true and if so, could someone give me some advice as to which of the Primary Schools in Baulkham Hills/Castle Hill are best so that we can make sure that we rent in the catchment for the school.
Thanks in advance.
Vanita

Hi,
Can anyone help us please.
We are moving to Melbourne in Sept this year and have narrowed it down to a few areas; Berwick, Narre Warren South, Lynbrook, Endeavour Hills. Our kids are primary school age still but we are trying to think about Secondary Schools for when the time comes in 3-4 years.
Can anyone shed any light on the situation with secondary schools in these areas? Any good ones to recommend, or avoid?
Also, where does Lynbrook Primary feed into?
Many thanks, Sam

Hi, we are moving to the sunshine coast from the uk within the next 3 months & am desperate for any info anyone can give me on schools in the sunshine coast. We have 2 girls aged 12 & 9. Just wondered if anyone has similar aged children there & how they settled in? Are the schools similar to uk or completely different? When do they break up for their summer hols? Can anyone reccommend some schools? We haven't decided where exactly to settle, depends on work for hubby(plumbing) & where's right for the kids. Any info would be greatly appreciated....so much to find out....so many decisions :confused: please help!!
Thanks, Sarah

Hi everyone, completely no idea what I am doing or what button to press, so bear with me on this one.
Im married with twin 6 year old boys who have very mild aspergers syndrome and dyspraxia (high functioning autistic). Very unhappy with the english schools and way of life for children and families with this problem. Heard a lot of good reports about schools in Australia and understanding for autistic children but have no idea which area is best to look in. My husband is motor mechanic and train mantainer and can do carpentry so hopefully will have a chance if we apply. So is there anyone out there who has similiar situation with children to me or knows anyone who can give me some advise please.
Im trying to find out a town or part of Australia which would suit my children the best. Anyone moved there and have child or children in school with similiar problems or at least a school with english accent children would help. Im already worried they wont be able to handle the move! Best regard Julie
:wacko: :arghh: :spinny:

Hi all,
we are new to this whole forum thinghy but would really appreciate some help. We are hopefully moving WA at the end of the year, with the probability (just waiting for confirmation) of jobs in Mandurah, but I have read loads of different stuff, including that the secondary schools are not so good and there is nothing to do for teenagers. Just wondering if anybody knows wht there is for kids and teenagers and what the schools are like and of course the best suburbs?
any help welcomed.
ta

Hello to all PomsInOz
My husband has just been given the opportunity by his company to move us to Canberra for 12+ months. Relocation package is excellent etc but...there is a big but.
My twin sons, aged 13, are currently in Year 9 at school and, if we go, would completely miss Year 10 of their GCSEs, having to go back to the UK to start Year 11 having missed half of their modular assessment and probably jeopardise their GCSEs entirely.
If we were able to stay longer in Australia, say for 2 years, to the point where they were 16 (the equivalent time to finishing their GCSEs) would they leave their Australian school with any qualifications that would allow them to return to the UK and do their 'A' levels?
If the above all sounds like gobbledigook, just say :embarrassed: and I'll try and rework it.
Thanks for your help

Greetings all,
This is my first post here.
I will be moving to Melbourne on a Permanent Residency Visa in September 2015 and am going through the roller-coaster of emotions!
Moving with my family (wife and two young children) I am eager to find out more and secure accommodation and employment.
We have been looking at the Brighton area and feel it is a good fit for us, my daughters at 2 and 4 and we feel the schools and just right for them.
I am a secondary Lead Teacher of Science and aim to take a natural progression up to Head of Department.
Any advice on area, Schools, jobs, and finding short and long term rentals will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you
D

Hello all,
I'm new to the forum, we're moving over to Canberra early September so in frantic mode of trying to get everything organised both to leave the UK and to arrive in Canberra!
I have 2 children - a son age 12 and a daughter age 6. One of my biggest concerns is finding the right schools for them, and then this will dictate the area we need to find a rental in. We're looking at government schools, I'm very keen on Alfred Deakin as a High School so now need to find a good primary school in the same 'priority placement'/catchment area. I think we've narrowed this down to either Garran Primary or Curtin Primary. Both sound very good - Garran has the best academic results, Curtin seems good academically too and I liked them most from the info on their website. I did however read some things in the Validation report for Curtin that made me a bit uncomfortable...
Does anyone have children at either of these Primary Schools, or perhaps know someone who teaches there? I'm looking to get a bit of first hand insight into the 'personality' of the schools, whether you're happy with the school, what are the good and bad points etc. Any insight would be most welcome!
If anyone has children at Alfred Deakin, would be great to get a first hand view on that too please.
Thanks very much!
Karen

Dear all - first post here. looks like a friendly forum so here goes:
wife and I moving to Sydney (for a job at University) in January :spinny: - we have three kids, 13, 11, 8 and a major factor in deciding where to live is schools. so far we have thought about the North Shore/Northern Beaches (the commute's crap, but we like the sea so Manly, seaforth, balgowlah, that sort of thing) - or Cronulla-to-como. Does anyone have experience of state schools or catholic schools in these areas? thoughts very welcome!
best wishes
simon t

Just decided to move to the sunshine coast in March 2015 with two young kids (4 and 6) as my partner has a job in Maroochydore. I do destination marketing and travel account management in the UK currently. Any advice on the travel industry in the area would be much appreciated - what kind of travel companies there are and where most are located. Also, any advice on where would be best to live for a sense of community, good schools and kid safe beaches would be very helpful. Getting excited now!

There seem to be a few questions on here about Primary Schools in ACT and we have just gone through the process of researching, visiting and choosing a school so I though I would share my findings with anyone who is interested
I did a load of research first from the UK in terms of "good" schools - alot of info came from this forum and alot came from other forums. I have a son who is gifted in Maths so I really wanted a good school for him. I do think you need to visit the schools when you get here if you can and alot of this can be arranged before you get here. Its well worth the time. I printed off a map of Canberra and put it next to my computer and shaded areas where there were the "target" schools and their catchment. I shaded area private schools differently. Jut this visual aid helped in me narrowing where we may be looking for housing and also allowed me to further research commute times and bus routes.... The list of schools I visited were:
Gov schools:
Curtin Primary
North Ainslie
Aranda
Kaleen
Torrens
Private schools visited:
Emmaus Christian School
Holy Trinity , Curtin
St Peter and St Paul, Garran
Montsorri, Holder
Girls Grammar School
I wanted to visit more. Garran and Chapman Gov schools will not let you visit unless you have a confirmed place to live and paperwork to prove it in their Catchment. They must get innundated! Both are EXCELLENT schools with excellent NAPLAN results but I could not visit them. If we decided to live in either of these areas we were prepared to take a chance on the schools but nothing happened to be suitable and available at the time and this is a key thing as the rental market here is a nightmare. Will maybe post findings on this separately if people are interested. There were more private schools I also wanted to visit but they were full and therefore did not want even a speculative visit for going onto a waiting list.
You can check the results of a school my going to http://www.myschool.edu.au/ and finding the school you want and clicking on NAPLAN on the left hand side. I would look at results in "numbers" as the graphs and others are confusing. I would also not take the results completely to heart as its a relatively new thing - but I do thnk its fairly good indicator of things and is a good benchmark - some may disagree. I just wanted schools that were above or exceptionally above average in most of the areas tested as this was a promise I made to myself on moving here in that I just wanted an excellent school for my son.
All the Gov schools I visited were good and I would not be worried if my son went to any of them however not all were best fit for him - some had an Arts focus and were creative, some focussed on other areas etc...but once I had a short list of favourite schools we narrowed our search on houses to certain areas.
I have to say if you look at the "ranking" of the schools I visited, they all had relatively good results so Im not sure how the other schools I did not visit were so cannot comment... All schools in Canberra (and rest of Ox I think) received a massive grant of around $1,5 million dollars when the world went into recession, to inject money into the local building trade so they all have a new gymnasium, library or hall or something. This applied also to private schools.
In comparison to the Private schools, I would say places like the grammar school are in a class of their own but I did not choose it as they had this strange policy of wanting to put my already advanced son back a year into Pre School instead of Kindergarten which is where his age allows him to be, simply because he was a boy and therefore may not be "mature" enough!. Im sure if I pushed it they would have said ok to Kinder but it was not for us in the end..
I really liked Emmaus and have put both my kids on the waiting list there and my son will go to North Ainslie in the meantime. Some private schools are definately better - just better equipped, better results, seem better organised, facilities are newer and the libraries are lovely. That said Torrens primary had a gorgeous library and I though this was an EXCELLENT government school and was definately in my short list and would have chosen this over some of the private schools I saw. its all a matter of taste and what your child needs.
The problem with the very good private schools is that they all have MASSIVE waiting lists and I mean a 2 - 3 years long at least and so we did not have any choice. If I did I would have chosen Emmaus. I like Holy Trinity Catholic school in Curtin but Curtin Primary which is a government school was just as good in some ways (if a bit chaotic). If we lived in Curtin I would have chosen Holy Trinity simply on the fact that it was smaller in size but eveything else was the same and Curtin has a good "gifted" scheme.
When we arrived we looked at houses in ALL areas (except Tuggeranong) and we looked at things like commute to Civic/public transport as well as the area of the shortlisted schools. We loved the space in the massive houses in Gunghalin but when I did some research, the schools results near to houses we looked at were not great, this was only in a few of the suburbs and we decided it was too far so did not research too many of the areas here.. We wanted to try and get away with having one car (Cars are EXPENSIVE) hence choosing the Inner North in the end. We liked Belconnnen and looked in Aranda but no houses came up in the time we were here and looking and I think this is what you also need to consider. I think you need to have a few areas to consider as had we found a house in Aranda we also would have moved there.. but nothing came up..
My husband came on a 457 visa and we were advised my Saskia Hancock at the Dept of Education here that unless we were on the SOL list, we would have to pay an annual fee of 9.9K$ for going to government school. Some private schools are cheaper (the catholic ones) but the problem in some of the good ones is getting a place. Holy Trinity, St Peter and St Paul had space, Radford who I approached did not, Emmaus does not, St Josephs who I approached did not... There are many which do have space of course but you will find that the ones with excellent results will not (much like the UK)
As it happened, my husbands work is on the SOL list so once we had found a property on a long term rental, we emailed Saskia Hancock stating we wanted to register Ethan at North Ainslie as we were in the catchment. She issued us a waiver, told the school of this and we enrolled him directly with the school.
It is worth taking time to research and people talk about more than 50% of the population put their kids in Private schools and this may scare lots of people off and make you think that the gov schools are terrible. I do think you have to chose carefully and do your research. Definately some gov schools have problem kids there who may have been chucked out of all the local private schools... and this is a difference in that gov schools have to take kids in their area even if they are full and cannot select whereas the private system can. Look at the demographics of the area, the houses etc..I think this is often a good indication of the school overall. Definately the facilities in the private school are better, but there are good gov schools.
Most private schools have lower fees also than the government imposed $10K. (The grammar is around 11K so you may as well consider this if you have to pay the gov fee. private schools are generally around 2-4K a year so not that expensive. Just find a good one that has a spot.
Hope all this helps...happy to answer any questions
Angela

Hi,
i just wondered weather anyone had any opinions on the Quinns beach primary school, the website looks great but just wondered if anyone had any experience with the school? I'm hoping for my little boy to go there. Any other advice or recommendations/ enrolment or general advice on schools are very welcome!

My daughter is currently at the end of year 10 (15 years old) and will be starting year 11 in September. One year from now she will be finishing year 11 and completing her exams.
Would it be best to make the move at the end of year 11 or after her A-levels? (A-levels are years 12 and 13). I understand that schools in Australia have different timings and holidays, so I would like to know at which point in the year we'd be moving to, and what you would suggest. Any personal experience would be great to hear too!
Thanks a lot.